Network Application Data Synchronization via Frame-by-Frame Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Network environment fluctuations, such as poor or volatile connections, hinder effective data synchronization between different network applications, leading to a downgrade in user experience, especially in real-time applications like online gaming.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that receives and processes user input events frame-by-frame, generating and updating response data and synchronization data to ensure that the graphical user interface of a network application remains synchronized across multiple users, even in the presence of network congestion, by updating synchronization data at a higher frame rate until it matches the response data, thereby maintaining seamless interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If network applications use standard data synchronization methods, then the system complexity remains low, but data synchronization reliability deteriorates under network fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata synchronization reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data synchronization process into multiple independent components: response data generation, synchronization data generation, frame-by-frame updating, and conditional replacement. Each component handles a specific aspect of synchronization, making the overall system more reliable under network fluctuations while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by generating and updating synchronization data in advance frame-by-frame before it is needed for replacement. This proactive approach ensures that synchronized data is ready when network conditions improve, enhancing reliability without requiring complex real-time synchronization mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If the system updates synchronization data frame by frame at high frame rate, then data synchronization precision improves, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization precisionVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by updating synchronization data frame-by-frame only when necessary for achieving synchronization, rather than continuously at maximum frame rate. The conditional replacement mechanism (replacing response data with synchronization data when they match) prevents excessive processing while maintaining precision when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the update frequency and replacement conditions based on the synchronization state. When response data and synchronization data match, updating stops, effectively changing the processing parameter from continuous high-frame-rate updating to event-driven updating, thus reducing processing time while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the system waits for synchronization data to match response data before rendering, then data consistency improves, but response speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidresponse speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary generation and frame-by-frame updating of synchronization data in advance, so that when the data is ready for replacement, consistency is already achieved. This eliminates the need to wait during rendering, as synchronization preparation occurs concurrently with other processing tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the matching between response data and synchronization data is continuously monitored. When they match, the system receives feedback that synchronization is complete and proceeds with rendering. This ensures data consistency without prolonged waiting, as the feedback loop efficiently detects synchronization completion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2888660B1Systems and methods for data synchronization in a network application
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • EP2888660B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2888660B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2888660B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computer receives user input events associated with a network application. Each user input event corresponds to a respective image frame of the network application and the user input events include at least one remote user input event from a remote source. The computer generates and updates response data from the respective image frames associated with the user input events to a current image frame of the network application. In some embodiments, the user input events are all from a local user of the computer. The computer also generates and updates synchronization data from the respective image frame associated with the at least one remote user input event to the current image frame of the network application. Finally, the computer replaces the response data with the synchronization data.